Above, two of many kids who took their parents out for Children's Day at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts on Wednesday, July 8. Above, Julia Davis, of Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, teaches them about the North American Wood Turtle.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts kicked off Wednesday with Children's Day. Above, kids from the Bennett Family Center on the University Park campus listen intently as Julia Davis, of Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, shows them a North American Wood Turtle.

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center intern Brian Taylor displays a female broadwing hawk while fellow intern Kenny Young takes questions from children visiting the Center's tent. The display, which included several birds of prey, was one of several educational areas on the Old Main lawn during Children's Day on Wednesday, July 8, an unofficial first day of the Central PA Festival of the Arts.

Jody Harrington, right, of The Cooperative Playschool, paints a ladybug on the face of Arts Festival Children's Day participant Marin, while her brother Kenneth watches. The booth was just one of a number to set up on Old Main Lawn to offer activities to youth participants.

Arts Festival Children's Day participant Samuel, left, gets his picture taken with a participant in a Star Wars costume on the Old Main lawn Wednesday, July 8. Children's Day, while not an official part of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which runs July 9 through 12 around campus and downtown State College, showcases youth arts and crafts, as well as local groups tailoring to youth.

Betsy Burd, center, and her daughter Michele Kapinus, upper right, play with Michele's sons Josef, left, and Samuel, center, during the Children's Day Grand Processional on Old Main Lawn on Wednesday, July 8. The three generations of family members have been regular participants in the event.

Local high school musicians, seen here, lead the Children's Day Grand Processional past Old Main before heading down Pattee Mall and Allen Street. Children's Day, held July 8, preceeded the official start of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. The youth-oriented day featured vendors between the ages of 8 and 18 as well as activities for children and performances by local youth performing groups.

The Arts Festival Children's Day Grand Procession crosses College Avenue on Wednesday, July 8. The day traditionally features young vendors, youth activities, performances and festivities, and precedes the official start of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts on Thursday, July 9. Local artists contribute the colorful costumes, decorations and parade pieces for youth and family members to carry during the procession from the Old Main lawn, down Allen Street, and to State College Area School District's Memorial Field.

Members of the Dance Academy of State College perform at the Festival Shell on the Old Main lawn on Wednesday, July 8, as part of Children's Day festivities leading up the official start of the 2009 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts on Thursday, July 9.

Families are seen through the framework of a vendor's booth along Pattee Mall during Children's Day, held on Wednesday, July 8, the day before the official start of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. The festival spans across the University Park campus's Pattee Mall and Pollock and Burroughs roads, and throughout downtown State College.